Core Process

The fundamentals behind AgriProtein’s waste to protein platform are millions of years old. Flies were already laying eggs in dinosaur waste and carcasses during the Jurassic period. Their larvae eventually became the natural feed source for fowl and fish, and remains a source of nutrients for free range chickens and fresh water fish of today.

AgriProtein has mimicked nature and the natural cycle of the different fly species we work with to create the ideal mix between the waste we feed the larvae, and the amino acid balance in the protein produced when they are harvested. Our technology and operating procedures manage life stages in sixty-minute intervals, ensuring our flies have the optimal balance of light, heat and humidity to trigger the highest levels of mating, egg fertility and larval growth.

Processing

The larvae perform the first process in our operation, turning one hundred and ten tonnes per day of organic food waste into a loamy soil enhancer, MagSoil™. The process is similar to that in a domestic worm bin, except at an industrial scale and lightning speed!

Each day we harvest and separate the mature larvae from the MagSoil™ and set to work sterilising, processing and preparing the larvae into the world’s most sustainable and natural animal protein for use in agricultural feed preparations.

The harvested larvae are washed and quickly dried. MagOil™ is separated and our different larvae cakes are blended and bagged into one tonne sacks ready for delivery to our customers.

Cutting Edge

AgriProtein has been and remains very focused on the mass production of insect protein. Our research association with the University of Stellenbosch has enabled us to run a number of future reaching research programmes. These range from investigating the use the natural anti-inflammatory properties of larvae to heal lame sheep to their high concentrations of bio-available iron to reduce anaemia in piglets when used in hog feeds. AgriProtein entomologists are also pioneering fly fertility programmes, whilst our animal nutritionist’s continue to test the use our feeds in complex and sensitive rearing environments, such as those for Abalone.

Quality Control

The Quality Control (QC) chain begins with traceability of the organic ‘waste’, tested on arrival and then blended and processed into a formulated larval feed - LarvaeMunch™ before it enters the grow out areas.

As well as best practice farming and factory management control processes we have a dedicated QC team. They are responsible for testing and monitoring a wide range of parameters within each of thirteen key processing stages. This ensures a quality assured and homogenous end product for our clients.